Anti-doping

Anti-Doping

All athletes have the right to compete in sport knowing that they, and their competitors, are clean. The use of performance-enhancing drugs and doping activity severely damages the legacy of sport and undermines the integrity of true athletes.

Introduction 

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments of the world. Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) – the document harmonising anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries.

Our Anti-Doping Rules

The anti-doping rules of UK Deaf Sport are the UK Anti-Doping Rules published by UK Anti-Doping (or its successor), as amended from time to time. Such rules shall take effect and be taken to be the rules of UK Deaf Sport Read the UK Anti-Doping Rules. [www.ukad.org.uk/resources/document/uk-anti-doping-rules]

Who is UK Anti-Doping (UKAD)

Anti-doping is integral to clean sport. As an athlete, it’s important you are clued up on the anti-doping rules so that you can continue to enjoy and achieve success in your sport. UKAD is the national anti-doping agency for the UK, dedicated to protecting a culture of clean sport – it achieves this through implementing education and testing programmes, gathering and developing intelligence, and prosecuting those found to have committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation. UKAD is responsible for ensuring sports bodies in the UK are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code through the implementation and management of the UK’s National Anti-Doping Policy.

What is strict liability?

As an athlete, one of the most important things to be aware of is the principle of strict liability. This means that you are solely responsible for any banned substance you use, attempt to use, or that is found in your system, regardless of how it got there and whether or not you had an intention to cheat. It is crucial that athletes check all medications are safe to take prior to use. Medications can be checked online via Global DRO. [www.globaldro.com] Athletes must undertake thorough internet research of any supplement products before use – including the name of the product and the ingredients/substances listed. Information revealed as a result should be further investigated and we advise athletes to keep evidence of their search.

What are the Anti-Doping Rule Violations?

The 2021 Code outlines eleven Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs).  Athletes, and Athlete Support Personnel (ASP), may receive a ban from sport if any of the following ADRVs are committed:

  • Presence of a prohibited substance in an athlete’s sample i.e. returning a positive test
  • Using, or attempting to Use, a prohibited substance or method
  • Evading, Refusing or Failing to provide a sample when requested
  • Whereabouts – Receiving any combination of three filing failures and/or missed tests in a time period of 12 months (for athletes who are part of the National Registered Testing Pool)  
  • Tampering, or attempting to tamper, with any part of the doping control process
  • Possession of a prohibited substance or method
  • Trafficking, or attempted trafficking, of any prohibited substance or method
  • Administering, or attempted administration of a prohibited substance or method to an athlete
  • Complicity or attempted complicity including assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring, covering up an ADRV or any attempted ADRV.   
  • Prohibited Association, associating in a sport-related capacity with a person such as a coach, doctor, physio or trainer who is serving a ban.   
  • Acts to Discourage or retaliate against Reporting to the authorities, i.e. threatening, intimidating or discouraging someone from whistleblowing and sharing information about doping.

All eleven ADRVs apply to athletes. Only the ADRVs in bold apply to ASP. (infographic of the above is available to download at the bottom)

Consequences are Significant

Under the 2021 Code, a minimum four-year ban from sport will apply to those who are found to be deliberately cheating and breaking the rules. The 2021 Code has little sympathy for carelessness – for inadvertent doping, athletes are more likely to face a two-year ban from sport. All athletes, coaches and athlete support personnel need to make sure they have sufficient anti-doping knowledge to avoid committing an ADRV and receiving a ban from sport.

The Prohibited List

All banned substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined on the Prohibited List, which is updated at the beginning of every calendar year but may also be updated throughout the year. The latest Prohibited List can be found on the WADA website. [wada-ama.org]

Key advice to staying clean

  • Understand the importance of checking medications

Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or bought over the counter) you must check it for banned substances. Medications can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country.

  • Know the risks with nutritional supplements

You are strongly advised to be very cautious if you choose to take any supplement such as vitamin tablets, energy drinks, or sport-nutrition formulas. This is because there is no guarantee that any supplement is free from banned substances. All athletes are advised to assess the need for the use of supplements in the first instance and to assess the risk before making a decision to use supplements. Visit the UK Anti-Doping website for further advice  including information on the Informed Sport programme  and case studies of athletes who have been caught out.

  • Apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if required

You can obtain approval to use a prescribed banned substance or method for the treatment of a legitimate medical condition by applying for a TUE. You must be able to provide medical evidence to confirm your diagnosis and prescription, and reference that there are no reasonable alternative medications.

You can find out more about whether you need a TUE and how to apply for one (including emergency TUEs) at https://www.ukad.org.uk/tue-application.

  • Understand what happens in a test (also known as Doping Control)

You should feel and know your rights and responsibilities when notified that you are to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. If you are selected for testing, you should take a representative with you so they can support you. UK Anti-Doping recommends that you follow your normal hydration routine if selected for testing, and that you follow the instructions given by the Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. You should be prepared to provide details of any substances you have taken – this needs to be written on the Doping Control form. This is your test and your sample, Find out more about testing and your rights and responsibilities by downloading the Clean Sport App from your mobile phone app store

  • Know where to look for support and advice

Please do not hesitate to ask questions about the anti-doping rules. As well as asking your NGB, coaches and support personnel, you may also contact UK Anti-Doping directly, who will be able to answer any questions and provide guidance.

  • Help keep sport clean

We all have a responsibility to report doping in sport and help keep it clean. A 24-hour dedicated phone line, hosted by Crimestoppers, is ready to take your call if you have any suspicions or concerns about incidences of doping in sport. You can provide information in complete confidence by calling 08000 32 23 32 or via a secure online form . All information is passed securely to UK Anti-Doping’s intelligence unit for investigation.

 Useful links and resources

Elite Athlete Clean Sport App for Smartphones

For essential anti-doping information download the Clean Sport App from iTunes or Google Play – the sport specific or the generic version.

Check your medications on Global DRO

Remember to check all medications on Global DRO  where you can search by ingredients or brand name.

Assess the risk of supplements on Informed Sport

You can find information on supplements and ways of reducing the risks on Informed Sport .

Register with UK Anti-Doping

Visit UK Anti-Doping’s website and sign up for their newsletter.

For more information from UK Anti-Doping:

Keep up to date with the latest news on Facebook or Instagram.

Have your say on Twitter @UKAntiDoping. For further information please contact UKAD at ukad@ukad.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 842 3450.